James Russell Joyner

James Russell Joyner Jr.

September 13, 1948 – September 21, 2025

On September 21, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with pneumonia, James "Jim" Russell Joyner of Pinedale, Wyoming passed away peacefully with his wife Lori by his side in Lindon, Utah at the home of his daughter. Jim was born in Provo, Utah to James "Russell" Joyner Sr. and Bernice Leetham Joyner on September 13, 1948. He was a third child, with two older sisters, Carolee and Rosalee. Jim was a rambunctious toddler. As such, his mother Bernice would hook him to the clothesline. This didn't stop Jim. He would take his clothes off and head down the street. Once Jim made up his mind to do something, no one could talk him out of it. During his teenage years, Jim loved to tease his older sisters and pitch baseball. After graduating from Provo High School in 1967, he attended Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, where he studied Archaeology, Geology and History.

On November 16, 1969, Jim married Shauna Lee Carter, of Orem, Utah. After which, he became a pipefitter for Geneva Steel, Orem, Utah. While working at Geneva Steel, Jim studied to become a Journeyman Plumber and eventually became a General Contractor and Developer in Utah County, Utah. In 1982, Jim left Geneva Steel to start Joyner Construction Inc in Orem, Utah. Together, Jim and Shauna built custom homes, winning many awards during the Parade of Homes which takes place annually in Utah County. Jim's motto: "If it's not something you would accept in your own home, then don't put it in your customer's home." During their construction years, the two began developing retirement communities in Orem, Pleasant Grove and Lindon, Utah. These homes were beautiful, affordable and highly sought after. They continued to build homes in Utah County until their retirement in 2003. Jim and Shauna had three children: Jeremy, JaSha and Jentry. Jim was a wonderful father who taught his children skills in the trades, as well as instilled in his children a love for the outdoors. As a family, the Joyner's went on many camping, hunting and fishing trips. Jim took great pride as all three of his children started their own businesses, becoming successful in their chosen trades. Jim and Shauna divorced in 2006.

Jim was an excellent marksman and seasoned outdoorsman. He loved hunting big game, pheasant and waterfowl. He was also an explorer and well-read in Native American, Early American and World History. Everywhere Jim went, he was always searching the ground for arrowheads, rocks and minerals. During the summers, Jim resided at his cabin on Fremont Lake in Pinedale, Wyoming, where he enjoyed trolling the lake for trout, floating the Green River or fishing from a riverbank with worms. Through the years, family and friends spent many summers on the lake with Jim. And yes, Jim ALWAYS caught the biggest fish. Jim also had a small, off-grid ranch in Diamond Fork Canyon, Spanish Fork, Utah, where family and friends gathered through the years to celebrate holidays and play in the incredible Utah snow.

Jim met Lori Ann Hunt, of Provo, Utah, by literally showing up on her doorstep to check out the plumbing in a bathroom shower. The shower was fine; however, the washing machine drain needed some work. The two became good friends and married on April 25, 2008. Lori was somewhat of a city person at the time; however, Jim told her he would take her places she had never been and show her things she had never seen if she would let him. And Jim did just that. The two enjoyed many camping and hunting trips in Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico. While on hunting excursions, Jim was always on the lookout for rocks and minerals, teaching Lori everything she knows about rockhounding. Jim also taught Lori everything she knows about building a campfire and fishing the beautiful waterways of Sublette County, Wyoming. Jim's hospitality and generosity had no limits: where he was, all were welcome. To our beloved husband and friend, brother, father, stepfather and grandfather we say "Thank you. We love you. We miss you. See you on the other side."

Jim was preceded in death by both of his parents and brother-in-law Joe Robert Dewey. Jim is survived by his wife Lori Ann Joyner, Pinedale, WY; sisters Carolee Garrick (David Clair) and Rosalee Snow (Irvin Wendell), both of American Fork, UT; children Jeremy Cal Joyner (Tara), Orem, UT; JaSha Lee Kirby (Jeremy Scott), Lindon, UT; and Jentry James Joyner, Spanish Fork, UT; stepchildren Kayla Ann Boyd, Los Angeles, CA and William Robert Boyd II, Reno, NV; grandchildren Colton James, Cal Russell and Cassidy Jean Joyner; James Ryder, Journey Lee and William Wyatt Kirby; and Kanyon Malan Joyner. A celebration of Jim's life will take place on October 6, 2025 at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 85 E. 300 S., Provo, UT. A viewing will take place from 10 AM-12 PM. The service will take place from 12 PM-2 PM. Interment will follow at Orem City Cemetery, 1520 N. 800 E., Orem, UT.

"We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labor, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him." 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)